A Personal Investment
The ‘to do’ list is enshrined in many a person’s life. In some ways it has become a less dramatic form of the ancient custom of saints like Jerome being portrayed with a skull on their desk to remind them of their mortality. Listing things is a tacit acknowledgement and reminder that out time here is really limited and we ought to make the most of it. Prioritising things can be a tool for helping one actually do so.
After all, the thought of death concentrates the mind wonderfully and what is complex suddenly becomes clear. Three would-be disciples of Jesus have to decide if they will choose comfort or convention or custom or Christ. They are asked to look ahead, not back. No regrets, no excuses, no turning back, no giving up because it has become too costly or difficult, or demanding, or it interferes with our comfort zone, our activities or lives.
We don’t know if the trio continued with the Lord or were they turned away. More important however, is the kind of answer that we will give.
Questions People Ask
Q. Another question about using the psalms for prayer. How can we today relate to kings and temples, places and events which have nothing to do with us?
A. God’s gift of imagination will help you. Psalms about Jerusalem or God’s vineyard become prayers for the church. Exile in Babylon can express feelings of alienation, loneliness or times when we ‘hung up our harps’ in the absence of joy. Mention of God’s saving deeds in the Exodus will acquire greater depth when applied to Jesus Christ liberating humanity from the slavery of sin. Thomas Merton wrote that the psalms were like the water at Cana waiting for Christ to turn it into wine.
Website of the Week
www.wyd2008.org
Information about World Youth Day 2008.
Our New Bishop
Bishop-elect Monsignor Seamus Freeman was in Kilkenny during the week to meet the former bishop and the priests of the diocese. All were impressed by his warm and friendly manner. He has now returned to Rome to complete his work there before returning to Ossory in about four weeks time. Monsignor Freeman will be consecrated and installed as Bishop of Ossory at St. Mary’s Cathedral on 25th November, the Feast of Christ the King.
Dublin City Marathon
A number of people from the area are preparing to run in this year’s Dublin City Marathon on Monday, 29th October. St. Patrick’s Parish appeals for your support. Your sponsorship funds could help defray some of the costs of our Homes for the Elderly. You can make a difference.
Sponsorship Cards are available at the sacristies and the presbytery. Donal Cadogan, a parishioner, is preparing to run in the marathon. His sponsorship cards are available at the sacristies so that the less energetic of us can help this cause.
Blood Donation Clinic
Clinic at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny at the following times:-
Sunday, 23rd September from 11.30am - 3.30pm; Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September from 4.30 to 8.30pm. Donor Information: 1850 731 137.
Money Problems?
Having problems paying off debts? Experiencing financial difficulty? Need advice on money management? Call the Money Advice and Budgeting Service on 1890 283 438 for a confidential non-judgmental independent service.
Be still and know that I am God
Christian meditation continues in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4.00pm. All are welcome.
Peace in Christ Ruby Celebrations
Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House, is celebrating 40 years of service to our diocese. The theme for the celebration is “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10). The anniversary celebrations include:
Open Day on Monday, 24th September. Visitors are encourage to go along between 10.30am - 12.30pm; 3pm - 5pm and 7.30pm - 9.30pm. This will be an informal day during which the Retreat House Team looks forward to offering hospitality to the people of the diocese. Refreshments included.
Lectio Divina (Praying the Scriptures). This will be led by Fr. Seamus O’Connell, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth commencing at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 26th September. All are welcome. Advanced booking encouraged.
Relaxation and Meditation on Thursday, 24th September. At this time there will be an opportunity to participate in relaxation and meditation led by Christine Kelly commencing at 7.30pm. All welcome but advance booking appreciated.
There is no charge for any session. Further details from Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny on 772 1054.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ann Power, Ballyragget and Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny. Requiem Mass at St. John’s at 12:00 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Mary Lacey, London,
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Fahey (Sat 7.00), Anna Beale (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Kenny (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30), Mary Kennedy (Mon 9.30), Fr. John Lennon (Tue 9.30), Paddy Larkin, Jimmy Owens, Paddy Ryan, Robert Roche, Stephen O’Connor, Rory O’Connor, Elizabeth Connick, William Hickey, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Gretta & Arthur Somers, Thomas & Margaret Beehan, Frank Nolan, Joe McDonald.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Eugene & Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15), Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00), Julie Foley (Sun 12.30).
First Holy Communion
The parents of all who wish to receive First Holy Communion in our parish next year are invited to a short meeting on this Monday at 8pm. The meeting will be in the Assembly Hall of the St. John of God School and will concern enrolments for the Sacrament and the Do This In Memory programme.
Ossory Diocesan Forum
Parish representatives from throughout the diocese will meet in St. Kieran’s College on Saturday, 29th September to review the Diocesan Forum which has been in existence for the past three years. A lot of work has gone into the preparation for Saturday’s review and it is hoped that the outcomes from this meeting will form the basis for the future work of the Forum.
Crisis in Sudan
We are all well aware of the appalling situation in Darfur at the moment. It is now acknowledged as the greatest humanitarian crisis of this century. The scale of the tragedy facing the people of Sudan compels Trócaire to ask for your assistance for those experiencing such extreme suffering.
Please give generously to the special collection this weekend. Further information on www.trocaire.ie
C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the Parents’ Council of the CBS Secondary School will be held on Tuesday, 2nd October in CBS, James Street at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Ms. Orla Callan who will talk on “Learning - how to support our children during their school years and beyond.”
Feast of St. Vincent De Paul
Thursday, 27th September is the feast of St Vincent de Paul (1580-1660). Vincent was a priest who founded the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians) and the Daughters of Charity (1633), the first sisters to work outside their convents in active service. He is the patron of all charitable works.
Autumn Courses at Creidim
Copies of the Creidim brochure are available at the back of the churches and on the notice boards. Creidim is the agent for Adult Religious Education and Faith Formation in the Diocese of Ossory. The Creidim Centre is based at St. Kieran’s College.
Yoga Classes
Are you full of aches and pains, with restricted mobility? Why not come along to the Thursday morning yoga class due to begin soon at LARC, Bishop Birch Training Institute, Nuncio Road. Senior citizens are especially welcome.
Public Meeting
The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is hosting a talk entitled “Healthy Eating - Happy Feet” at Newpark Hotel on Tuesday, 2nd October at 8pm. Speakers include Ms. Rebecca Warner, Dietician, St. Luke’s Hospital; Ms. Irene Stokes and Ms. Mary Stokes, Podiatrists, Dean Street Foot Clinic, Kilkenny. All are welcome and admission is free.
Ploughing Championships
If you are at the National Ploughing Championships this week why not call into Stand L305 organised by our friends in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. There will be lots to see and hear and you might even get a chance to take a moment out to give thanks to God.
Race Night
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir is holding a Race Night at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel on 28th September. First race at 8.30pm sharp and proceeds in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Adult Literacy Awareness Week
National Adult Literacy Awareness Week will be held from 24th—28th September 2007. Word Aid offers help with reading, writing, spellings, maths, communications and personal development skills. The service which is available in Kilkenny City and at outreaches in the county, is offered to adults over 16 who have completed full time education. Day or night time classes can be arranged to suit learners who can learn what they want at their own pace, in a relaxed atmosphere, either alone with a tutor or in small group for 1 to 2 hours a week. The service is free and confidential. Further Information: Mary Buckley, the Word Aid Centre, Butler Court, Patrick Street, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 776 3149.
Evening Classes
The following evening classes are offered at St. Brigid’s College, Callan: English for non-nationals, computers, stained glass, glass engraving, pilates, yoga, salsa fit, flower arranging, interior décor, beauty therapy, digital camera and cake icing. All classes subject to numbers. Registration 7.30—8.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Nursing Home Visitation
We have a small group in the parish whose members make pastoral visits to parishioners in the local nursing homes and long stay hospitals. In this way patients can keep in touch with the parish and know that they are being remembered and prayed for by the parish community. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you know of someone in a nursing home who would like a visit.
World Youth Day Pilgrimage
World Youth Day is the Catholic Church’s week of events for youth gathering thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Begun by Pope John Paul II Sydney will host the 10th international WYD from 15 – 20 July 2008. The invitation is to young people between the age of 18 and 35 years.
The cost of this unique pilgrimage is €3,000 approx per pilgrim. Each pilgrim will be asked to commit to fundraising and will be asked to make a personal contribution. Parishes will be invited to make a commitment to the cost also.
Further information is available at the back of the church, from Fr Scriven who is coordinator of the pilgrimage and from www.ossory.ie
